Oversee the communications functions and strategies that enhance awareness and support of the mission of the American Red Cross in the 27-county Western New York Region. Develop and implement communication strategies and tactics that drive regional business objectives and results, publicize the mission of the Red Cross, support revenue generations, and educate the public about how to access Red Cross services. Work in close collaboration with the Regional CEO, Division Communications Director, Field Marketing, Development, Disaster Cycle Services, Service to the Armed Forces, Biomedical Services, Health and Safety, and Volunteer Services leadership and staff to provide communication and marketing support. Provide support, development and/or leadership guidance to all volunteers.

Recruited to newly created position following major, national reorganization of American Cancer Society structure. Serve as a strategic liaison to hospitals and health systems in the greater Rochester and Buffalo areas, as well as New York State's Southern Tier and northern Pennsylvania. Responsibilities include communicating and collaborating with leadership at nationally accredited cancer centers to promote ACS programs, developing communication strategies and channels to reach physicians, donors and agency partners, working with hospitals, health systems and other community partners to increase early detection and prevention opportunities, providing patients access to supportive programs sponsored by the ACS, and working collaboratively with other ACS staff to identify and secure sponsorship opportunities.

Managed communications and public relations for the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center, the region's leader in cancer care and research. Major responsibilities and achievements related to donor communication and local and national media placements. Selected by Department VP to take on communication responsibilities beyond the Cancer Center,including development of a Med Center crisis communication plan and speech writing for URMC leadership. Additional accomplishments included:Led the planning, development and comprehensive re-design of a quarterly donor publication with a circulation of more than 10,000.Developed strategic communication plans to support a wide variety of key advancement events and initiatives, as well as Cancer Center leadership transition and acquisition of another major cancer center..Generated more than 120 local and national media placements in 2011 and 2012Introduced new, monthly internal communication piece and built more robust staff recognition program.Strengthened Social Media presence of Wilmot Cancer Center, including the launch of the Center's first Twitter account.

Led the Public Relations, Graphic Design, and Visual Communications staff and functions for a two-hospital healthcare system, including two skilled nursing facilities, a behavioral health network, and more than 40 affiliated physician practices spanning two counties. Corporate CommunicationsSelected as one of 45 leaders out of 7,000-employees to spearhead a major cultural transformation (Excellence Every Day). Served as lead facilitator in the development and implementation of communication strategies and tactics related to the initiative. Crafted messaging for CEO, including monthly updates, medical staff communication and speechwriting. Sought out by other senior leaders for writing and editing support. Created and reviewed brochures designed for a variety of audiences.Managed the development and production of system-wide employee newsletter.Assisted in the development of Rochester General Hospital Foundation materials and videos.Strategic PlanningCoordinated strategy, tactics and internal and external messaging for crisis communication issues related to human tissue recall, Legionella outbreak, H1N1 virus and a major reduction in force.Coordinated messaging and lobbying efforts at the state level to mitigate continued reductions in New York State reimbursements to Rochester General Health System. Public/Media RelationsCreated a system-wide Public Relations plan designed to increase press coverage for key service lines, especially in secondary service areas.Achieved double digit increases in media hits for five consecutive years.Coordinated press conferences and wide variety of special events.Authored system press releases.Provided oversight for day to day media relations activities.

Managed the strategic development and tactical implementation of internal and external communication plan for a 12-county diocese serving a target market of 350,000.. Public Relations/Crisis CommunicationsServed as an advisor to Bishop and other members of diocesan leadership team.Guided diocese in response to numerous crisis issues, including the issue of priest sexual abuse, one of the most notable in public relations history. Coordinated delivery of accurate, timely and persuasive information relative to diocesan pro-grams and priorities through a variety of media outlets in language appropriate for target audiences.Strategic Marketing Led internal and agency teams in planning, development and implementation of fully integrated marketing plan for Catholic schools that increased enrollment 10% for targeted schools. Initiated and executed marketing research to identify key objectives and positioning.Approved all creative material and media placements.Media RelationsServed as official diocesan spokesperson and responded to all media inquiries.Planned, scripted and executed news conferences. Wrote news releases and editorial pieces.Cultivated positive relationships with media contacts, facilitating program and events coverage.WritingDrafted letters and other materials for Bishop and other diocesan representatives.Assisted in preparation of collateral materials relative to diocesan fundraising campaigns.Planned, wrote and coordinated production of various external and internal documents.

Assisted in strategic development, planning and execution of marketing communications program for the area's largest, nationally-recognized, not-for-profit organization. Oversaw planning and development of annual United Way/Red Cross Campaign print collateral, providing direction to advertising agency. Planned and executed large-scale special events. Wrote news releases and supervised publications.